Chronological coverage updated 3rd October 2026 23:59.
Update 1 · 3rd October 2026
Whittaker Survives Late Onslaught Against Wallace to Secure Mandatory IBF Spot
British light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker extended his unbeaten professional record to 13 wins and one draw with a points victory over Conor Wallace at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. The 29-year-old controlled the early stages of the bout with boxing skill and showboating, but had to survive a strong late fightback from his Northern Irish opponent in the championship rounds.
Wallace caught Whittaker with a heavy left hand in the sixth round before mounting a major threat in the 10th, landing a southpaw left that visibly hurt the home fighter. In the 12th round, Whittaker hit the canvas three times, though none were ruled as official knockdowns by the referee, as Wallace pressed for a stoppage before the final bell. Source: BBC News.
Judges scored the light-heavyweight contest 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113 in favour of Ben Whittaker. — according to BBC News.
BBC News reportedly quoted Ben Whittaker (British light-heavyweight boxer) as saying: “It was too easy and I took my eye off the ball a little bit. He caught me with a good shot but that's boxing”.
BBC News reportedly quoted Andy Lee (Trainer for Ben Whittaker) as saying: “Stay focused. Just because you're comfortable, don't get lazy”.
World Title Picture and Undercard Results
With the victory, Whittaker became the mandatory challenger for the IBF light-heavyweight title held by Dmitry Bivol. Bivol, who also holds the WBA 'super' and WBO belts, is scheduled to fight Callum Smith in December. Promoter Eddie Hearn indicated that Whittaker will likely need an interim fight while awaiting the winner.
BBC News reportedly quoted Eddie Hearn (Boxing promoter) as saying: “We know Ben is in the position to fight the winner of Bivol-Smith but it's likely that won't be until next summer, so he needs to fight in the interim.”.
The undercard featured British title victories for Hamza Uddin and Bilal Fawaz. Fawaz retained his British and Commonwealth light-middleweight titles by stopping Eithan James in the eighth round.
Bilal Fawaz earned a £5,000 stoppage bonus offered by promoter Eddie Hearn following his eighth-round victory over Eithan James. — according to BBC News.
- Ben Whittaker defeated Conor Wallace on points despite suffering a tough 10th and 12th round.
- The victory makes Whittaker mandatory challenger for Dmitry Bivol's IBF light-heavyweight title.
- Undercard action saw Bilal Fawaz retain his British and Commonwealth light-middleweight titles via an eighth-round stoppage.
